Purchase Ipad Mini? I own a Nikon SLR

The Ipad mini in the main fits my requirements, I'm looking to come from a BB Playbook 64gb. The potential sole reason for my defection is not being able to use the usb connection for connecting any device to view pictures of my camera's SD card.

Currently the only potential way on the PB is purchase an Eye-Fi card, convert the android app into a bar file.

Can the Ipad mini offer this? It's a simple requirement plug in the official lighting adapter for SD cards or a 3rd party one and be available to view the RAW files (NEF files) on the connected SD card?

I will be ejecting the card from the camera and inserting into the card reader so be able to review the images and delete where necessary. I'll use the PC for serious editing.

If possible, can you do it in the native app or do you need a 3rd party app?

Question 2, can you tether the ipad mini from any Smart Phone?

Question 3, How far off is the Ipad Mini and how much more expensive will it be, considering the superior specs?
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The Lightning to SD Card Camera Reader supports standard photo formats, including JPEG and RAW, along with SD and HD video formats, including H.264 and MPEG-4.

The Native photos app can do some things - Apple's iPhoto app can do more... and once photos are on an iPad mini, you can make use of iCloud photo stream and have photos available on the rest of your iDevices.